Army Veteran Needs Help ASAP
Hello, Everyone! As many of you know, the last few weeks have been extremely difficult for me and my family.
It all began on July 15, 2016, when I woke up feeling weak. Over the next 2 weeks, I started feeling pain in my stomach and noticed that I was losing weight. I thought I must have caught a stomach bug. But, as the days went on, my appetite grew less and the constant, dull pain grew greater.
On the morning of August 20th, I rushed to the bathroom, after a long night of what I thought was diarrhea. I could barely walk because of how weak I felt. I realized that I had been passing black blood all night, instead of diahrrea. I then, began throwing up this same black blood, as well.
My wife and nephew rushed me to the emergency room of Tanner Medical Hospital in Carrollton, GA, where I would spend the next 4 days. The doctors discovered a bleeding ulcer in my upper intestine. They clipped and cauterized the ulcer on August 22nd. I was released from the hospital at 6pm on August 23rd.
I was exhausted and my blood pressure was low. On August 24th, at 12:30pm, I passed-out in the bathroom. I was hemorhaging from my mouth and nose. I came to, crawled to the telephone and dialed 9-1-1. I was bathed in blood and the EMTs thought I must have cracked my skull when I passed-out. As it turns out, all of the blood was coming from my mouth and nose.
Once in the hospital, I received 6 pints of blood. They cauterized my ulcer again, but could not stabilize my low blood count. I was hospitalized for 8 more days. The doctors could not locate the additional cause of my bleeding, now that the ulcer was treated.
I was sent home on September 1st, awaiting the results from the pill camera I had ingested. I had no real answers, other than that the Naproxin (the medicine prescribed by The VA for the inflammation and pain caused by my Severe Sphoratic Arthritis. I have been taking this medicine for the past 3 years). The doctors concluded that the Naproxin had eaten a hole in my upper intestine.
On September 6th, the hospital informed me that the pill camera showed a stomach infection and no more signs of bleeding. They prescribed more medicine and numerous follow-up appointments.
I have been recovering ever since, by eating well, hydrating and resting. I've lost 22 pounds, still feel weak and my appetite is very low. I am in constant pain and unable to work. I have completely lost my faith in The VA medical system.
It kills me to have to ask for help, as I served our country, in hopes that I could provide for my family. The bills are stacking up and the desperation is suffocating. I understand that not everyone can donate, but by sharing this GoFundMe, you can help me, as well. When my stepson, Marine Cpl. Todd Love, became a triple amputee after stepping on an IED in Afghanistan, people came out of the wood-work to lift my family in prayer. I ask that you envelope us in that same blanket of prayers now. I can never thank you enough for taking the time to read this.
God Bless You,
Jimmy Cox